T     'i^M^-f^^''-  "/"'■»■'.,  '"i-Wi'l^"^ 


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Mr.  benedict's  SERMON, 


AT  THE  FUNERAL  OF,    • 
DocT.  BELLAMY, 


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V 


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Preparation  for  Death. 


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SERMON, 

DELIVERED     AT     THE 

FUNERAL 

OF     THE     REVEREND 

JOSEPH  BELLAMY,  D.D, 

OF    BETHLEM, 

MARCH  IXth.   1790. 

^^^HHHIHDHHBBHi^DHi^flHHiBiHI^^HIHHIHH^^H 

By   NOAH    BENEDICT,  A.M. 

PASTOR  OF  THE  CHURCH  IN  WOODBURY. 


It  ii  appointed  unto  men  ence  to  die.         St.  Paui.. 
Therefore  be  ye  alfo  ready,         Jesus  Christ. 


NEW-HAVEN; 

PRINTED  BY  THOMAS  AND  SAMUEL  GREEN, 

M.DCC.XC. 


u 


w 


A  FUNERAL    SERMON. 


Respectable  Audience, 

I  RISE  to  addrefs  you  upon  a  mofl  folemn  occafion. 
An  occafion  which  forces  the  convidlion  on  me, 
that,  as  well  the  fpeaker  as  the  hearer,  muft  die. 

It  was  the  defire  of  the  deceafed,  while  yet  alive,  that 
at  his  funeral,  a  difcourfe  might  be  delivered  adapt- 
ed to  folemnize  the  mind,  and  benefit  the  living  -, 
but  not  to  penegyrize  the  dead. 

Your  attention  is  therefore  requeued  to  that  pafTage 
of  infpiration,  recorded  in 

II    TIMOTHY,    IV.  6. 

For  I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered^  and 
the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand. 


W^^  HESE  are  the  words  of  Paul  the  great  apoftle 
^  ^  J  of  the  Gentiles,  in  which  he  has  a  fpecial  re- 
^'^^  ference  to  himfelf.  Though  he  was  educated 
in  the  Pharifaic  fyftcm  of  religion,  yet,  by  the  aflon- 
ilhing  grace  of  God  towards  him,  he  was  powerfully 
conftrained  to  renounce  that  fyftem,  and  to  embrace 
the  religion  of  the  Goipel.  Not  cnly  did  Paul  be- 
come 


'Ht-^3/(> 


4         A   FUNERAL    SERMON. 

come  friendly  at  heart  to  Chriftianity,  and  zealous  for 
the  faith  he  once  deftroyed,  but  was  advanced  to  the 
office  of  an  Apoftle,  to  which  he  devoted  his  life,  and 
in  which  he  fpent  the  refidue  of  his  days.  In  dif- 
charging  the  duties  of  his  office,  he  endured  great  per- 
fecution  and  hatred.  That  fcheme  of  fcntinnents  he 
embraced,  preached,  and  in  a  mod  mafterly  manner 
defended,  was  oppofite  to  the  general  opinion  of  man- 
kind, whether  Jews  or  Gentiles,  and  tended  to  fap 
their  religion  at  the  root.  This  gave  them  great  dif- 
guft,  and  on  this  account,  they  confidered  and  treat- 
ed him  as  their  enemy.  So  that,  as  he  himfelf  de- 
clares, the  holy  Ghoft  witnejj'eth  iyi  every  cily,  J^yi^gy 
iThat  bonds  and  affli£fions  abide  me.  However,  in  his 
view,  the  caufe  he  efpoufed  was  fo  glorious  and  im- 
portant, tending  fo  much  to  advance  the  honor  of 
God,  and  the  eternal  welfare  of  mankind,  that  none  of 
thofe  things  moved  him,  neither  counted  he  his  life 
dear  unto  himfelf :  So  that  he  might  finifh  his  courfe 
with  joy,  and  the  miniftry  which  he  had  received  of  the 
3l.ord  Jefus,  to  teftify  the  gofpel  of  the  grace  of  God. 

When  he  wrote  this  epiftle,  he  was  a  prifoner  at 
Rome  for  the  caufe  of  Chriftianity  ;  and  foon  expedl- 
ed  to  fuffer  as  a  martyr  for  the  truth — Hence,  as  in 
the  pafTage  before  us,  he  fays,  Now  I  am  ready  to  be 
cfferedy  and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  In 
this  paflage,  two  important  ideas  are  difclofed.  One 
in  that  claufe  of  the  vcrfe.  For  I  am  now  ready  to  be 
offered  j  the  other  in  this,  and  the  time  of  my  departure 
is  at  hand. 

Some  attention  to  each  of  thefe  two  ideas  is  defign- 
ed  in  the  following  difcourfe. 

I.  I  (hall  point  out  in  fome  particulars,  when  the  time 
pf  perfons  death  or  departure  is  at  hand. 

IL 


A    FUNERAL    SERMON.         5 

11.  Shew  what  is  implied  in  readinefs  for  death. 

Lafllf,  conclude  the  fubjed  with  remarks  and  addref- 
{es  fuited  to  the  prefent  mournful  occafion. 

I.  I  fliall  point  out,  in  fome  particulars,  when  the 
time  of  perfons  death  or  departure  is  at  hand. 

I.  In  a  comparative  view  this  is  ever  true  of  them 
while  here  in  the  world. 

No  fooner  do  v/e  enter  upon  the  theatre  oi  life,  than 
death  purfues  us,  and  v/hatevermdy  be  our  expeflati-* 
ons,  it  is  but  a  little  time  before  it  will  overtake  us, 
and  conclude  the  lad  ftory  of  our  pilgrimage  on  earth. 
To  a  perfon  in  youthful  days,  feventy  or  eighty  years 
appear  a  lengthy  period,  and  could  he  be  affured  of 
living  to  that  age,  it  would  go  far  towards  equaling 
his  wifhes.  But  how  great  is  the  miftake  !  Such  it 
is  known  to  be  by  thofe  who  have  had  the  trial. 
The  blooming  youth,  may  dote  on  old  age,  and  think 
the  man  with  an  hoary  head  has  lived  till  length  of 
days  has  made  him  weary  of  the  world;  but  meafure- 
the  exiftence  of  fuch  an  one  with  any  thing  durable, 
and  it  is  as  nothing.  In  the  firft  age  of  the  world, 
the  life  of  man  was  near  a  thoufand  years;  afterwards 
it  was  reduced  to  four  or  five  hundred.  In  fucceed- 
ing  time,  it  v/as  fliortened  to  the  fpace  of  betv/een  cnc 
and  two  hundred  years.  And  now  at  laft  we  can 
reckon  only  threefcore  years  and  ten.  Now  compare 
a  life  of  the  laft  period  with,  the  firft,  and  it  is  fhort 
indeed. 

But  if  we  dill  further  compare  it  with  our  future^ 
eadlefs  exiftence,  it  is  but  a  poinL,  it  is  as  nothing. 

Agreeable  to  this,  it  is  v/ritten,  Man  that  is  horn  cf 
€  v^oman  is  of  few  days^  and  full  'of  trouble.     For  what 

it 


n 


'^/i3/^ 


6        A    FUNERAL    SERMON. 

is  your  life  ?  it  is  even  a  vapour  that  eippeareth  for  a 
little  timey  and  then  vanifheth  a'-jvay.  The  days  of  men 
on  the  earth,  are  faidto  be  as  an  hand  breadth,  and  their 
as^e  as  nothing  before  God. 

2.  This  is  more  emphatically  the  cafe  with  perfons 
how  few  foever  their  years,  months,  or  days  have  been, 
if  yet  the  greater  pa:t  of  them  are  paft,  and  there  re- 
mains  bu.t  a  ftcp  betwen  them  and  eternity. 

Obfervation,  as  well  as  the  book  of  the  fcriptures, 
teaches,  that  there  is  no  age  fecure  from  death.  Man- 
kind die  in  infancy,  and  youth,  and  in  every  other  pe- 
riod of  life.  No  external  circumftances  whatever,  en- 
fure  future  continuance  on  earth.  A  firm  conftitu- 
tion  is  no  effccliual  bar  againft  the  arrows  of  death. 
The  greateft  caution  in  diet,  labour,  recreation,  and 
fieep,  affords  no  certainty  of  fo  much  as  to-morrow. 
Hence  it  is  written,  Boafl  not  thy/elf  of  to-morrow  \  for 
thou  knowefl  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth,  A  bow, 
(hot  at  a  venture,  may  wing  its  way  with  unerring 
aim,  and  hit  the  mark, — an  unexpedled  arrow  from 
the  Almighty's  quiver,  may  do  execution.  Some  fa- 
tal difeafe,  may  fuddenly  feize  them,  and  bring  them 
down  to  the  grave;  or  fome  accident  may  happen,  to 
put  a  period  to  their  life.  Men  may  die  by  the  hand 
of  violence,  or  more  immediately  by  the  hand  of  God. 

Innumerable  are  the  avenues  of  death,  and  in  ways 
Ijttle  thought  of  by  mankind,  may  they  be  called  to 
depart  out  of  the  world. 

Perfons  of  every  age,  fex,  and  condition,  in  an  in- 
finite variety  of  Drcumltances,  give  up  the  ghoft,  and 
reafe  to  be  numbered  with  the  living.  However  li- 
zTsited  then,  the  time  of  their  exiftence,  in  this  world, 
if  ?:he  ga^^Mfl:  part  of  th^ir  days  are  finiHied,  and  they 

on 


A    FUNERAL    SERMON.        7 

on  the  borders  of  eternity,  this   with  propriety   may 
be   faid  of  them,  their  departue  is  at  hand. 

3.  This  then,  is  evidently  the  cafe  of  thofe  who 
have  pad  the  age  of  men,  and  yet  are  continued  among 
the  living.  The  departure  of  fuch,  is  miOft  clearly  ar 
hand.  With  them  it  is  the  eleventh  hour  of  the  day. 
They  have  furvived  the  morning  and  meridian  of  life, 
and  their  fun,  like  that  in  the  wcftern  ficy,  declining 
behind  the  hills,  is  juft  ready  to  fet.  The  lad  fand  in 
their  glafs  is  running  i  the  curtain  of  time  clofing  ; 
and  eternity,  immenfe  and  boundlefs,  foon,  very  foon, 
to  open  to  their  view.  They  feel  the  decays  of  nature^ 
and  may  know  their  diflblution  drawcth  nigh.  But  a 
flep  divides  between  them  and  the  world  of  fpirits. 
Their  next  rem.ove,  is  into  the  unfeen  flate. 

The  departure  of  other  people  may  be  at  hjind,  and 
they  not  know  it.  They  may  fancy  they  fhall  live 
many  )fears,  and  hope  to  rejoice  in  them.  all.  But  a- 
ged  perfons  may  know,  both  from  their  own  obferva- 
tion  and  the  word  of  God,  that  their  day  is  over,  and 
the  night  of  death  at  hand,  which  will  forever  feparate 
them  from  all  tranfitory  things.  Yet  if  they  can  fay 
with  fincerity  they  are  now  ready  to  be  offered^  they 
are  happy. 

Though  in  one  view,  they  are  to  be  pitied,  in  ano- 
ther, their  fituation  is  more  to  be  envied,  than  that  of 
any  other  people  on  this  fide  heaven.  They  are  to  be 
pitied,  confidering  the  burdens  and  forrows,  the  trou- 
bles and  calamities,  which  attend  their  declining  days: 
But  otherwife  their  condition  is  bleffed  indeed. 

They  have  almoft  finifhed  a  weary  pilgrimage  on 
earth  ;  they  have  crofTed  the  rocks  iind  mountains,r 
precipices  and  miry  places  which  attend  the  jourjiev 

of 


8         A    FUNERAL    SERMON. 

of  life,  and  are  foon  to  enter  upon  the  wilhed  for  refl, 
which  remains  for  the  people  of  God. 

The  liiiiiation  of  fuch,  is  fimilar  to  that  of  the  mari- 
ners, who  have  been  a  voyage  to  a  diftant  country, 
and  arc  returning  home.  Tlie  voyage  hath  beendan- 
.gerous,  the  fea  boifterous,  end  their  lives  eminendy 
cxpoled.  They  have  been  toflfed  from  billow  to  bil- 
low in  jeopardy,  from  hidden  flioals  and  towering 
waves  :  But  finaliy  the  much  defired  port  heaves  in 
Tight — they  enter  the  harbour  with  a  propitious  gale, 
and  brufii  the  azure  deep.  The  difbance  between 
them  and  the  fhore  continually  decreafes ;  and  nov/ 
nothing  remains  but  to  furl  the  fails,  drop  anchor, 
and  leap  to  tlie  fhore  of  the  long,  long  wifhed  for 
peaceful  haven. 

II.  Proceed  v/e  nov/,  to  fhew  what  is  implied  in 
readinefs  for  dcach. 

And  in  general  it  implies  the  fame,  as  a  readinefs 
for  heaven  or  the  enjoyment  of  that  glorious  world. 

Here  I  am  (enfible,  the  queftion  v/ill  arife,  wherein 
confifts  a  r-eadinefs  for  heaven  ? 

It  is  moH:  clearly  not  true,  that  mankind,  as  they 
are  in  the;iiiclves,  are  ready  to  die,  by  being  qualified 
for  heaven.  A  change  muft  therefore  take  place 
in  them,  v/hcreby  they  fpecificaliy  difFer  from  the  refl 
of  the  v/orld,  that  thereby  they  may  be  ready  to  die, 
by  being  prepared  for  heaven. 

I.  With  refpedto  a  right  and  title  to  heaven. 

That  a  perfon  may  enter,  and  take  pofTefTion  of  an 
earthly  inheritance,  it  is  neceiTiry  he  fiiould  have  a  good 
title,     Unlefs  his  title  is  good,  he  has  no  right  to  en- 
ter. 


A    FUNERAL    SERMON.        9 

ter,  and  improve  as  his  own.  Neither,  unlefs  perfons 
have  a  good  title  to  heaven,  are  they  prepared  to  die, 
being  as  yet  difqualified  for  that  world.  But  how  a 
title  to  heaven  is  obtained,  is  a  great  queilion. 

This  is  our  anfwer. 

I.  Not  by  the  merit  of  perfons  own  doings,  or  by 
their  obedience  to  the  perfed  law. 

For,  let  it  be  confidered,  they  are  under  a  law, 
which  requires  finlefs  pcrfedlion,  on  pain  of  eternal 
death.  This  law  they  have  broken,  and  thus  failed 
of  that  finlefs  obedience  which  it  requires ;  confe- 
quently,  they  have  fallen  under  its  awful  curfe.  If 
therefore,  they  have  merited  any  thing,  it  is  hell  by 
iheir  difobedience. 

For  them  now,  to  go  to  the  law  to  get  life,  and  to 
imagine  by  their  own  obedience  to  its  demands,  to 
reverfe  the  ientence  of  condemnation,  is  folly  in  the 
extreme.  As  well  may  they  think  to  countermand 
the  laws  of  nature,  and  flop  the  fun  in  its  orbit,  as  to 
cfcape  hell,  and  attain  heaven  in  this  way.  This  is 
to  join  the  old  Pharifees  in  principles,  and  is  reprobat- 
ed by  the  gofpel  of  Chrift.  Such  a  fyftem  if  true, 
would  overfet  the  whole  of  chriftianity.  For  if  rights 
eoujnejs  come  by  the  law,  then  Chrift  is  dead  in  vain. 
Let  every  fuch  legalift  hear  thofe  words  of  our  apofllc, 
and  tremble.  For  as  many  as  are  of  the  works  of  the 
lawy  are  under  the  curfe :  For  it  is  written^  curfed  is 
every  one^  that  continueth  not  in  all  things  which  are 
written  in  the  book  of  the  laWy  to  do  them.     But, 

2.  A  title  to  heaven  is  obtained  by  faith  in  the  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift.  Chrift  is  the  great  medium  of  all  friend- 
ly intercourft  between  heaven  and  earth.     It  is  xhro^ 

B  iim 


10        A   FUNERAL    SERMON. 

him  only," that  God  can  extend  his  mercy  to  the  guil- 
ty ;  and  it  is  through  faith  in  his  name,  that  they  may 
be  acquitted  from  guilt  and  have  a  fure  title  to  the 
heavenly  inheritance.  He  is  of  infinite  confcquence 
in  the  grand  affair  of  man's  falvation.  Set  afide  his 
righteoufnefs  and  atonement,  and  our  cafe  would  be 
hopelcfs  and  defperate. 

But,  glory  to  God  in  the  higheft,  whst  the  law 
could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak  through  the  flelh, 
God  hath  fent  his  own  Son,  in  the  likenefs  of  fmful 
flefh,  and  as  a  facrifice  for  fin,  condemned  nn  in  the 
flcili  :  Vaat  the  righteoufnefs  of  the  law  might  he  fulfill^ 
ed  in  us,  Chrift  hath  undertaken  the  work  of  our  re- 
demption ;  he  has  come  into  the  world,  obeyed  the 
law,  and  died  to  make  atonement  for  fin,  that  God 
might  be  juji,  and  the  juflifier  of  him  which  believeth 
in  Jefus,  Faith  in  Chrift,  is  the  required  condition 
of  an  intereft  in  the  atonement,  a  compliance  with  the 
covenant  of  grace,  and  fecures  a  title  to  heaven.  All 
boafting  is  excluded,  and  the  crown  placed  upon  the 
head  of  the  Redeemer.  Look  through  the  gofpel, 
and  you  will  find  that  faith'  in  the  Mediator,  is  ever 
confidered  as  the  grand  effential  requifite  to  a  title  to 
heaven.  It  is  that  exercife  of  heart,  without  which, 
we  are  condemned,  and  the  wrath  of  God  abides  up- 
on us.  Go  ye  into  all  the  worlds  and  f  reach  the  gofpel 
to  every  creature  \  he  that  believeth  and  is  baptizedy 
fhall  be  faved  j  and  he  that  believeth  not  fh all  be  damn- 
ed. He  that  believeth  is  not  condemned  -,  but  he  thai 
believeth  not  is  condemned  already^  becaufe  he  hath  not 
believed  in .  the  name  of  the  onty  begotten  Son  of  God, 
therefore  being  jujiified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with 
Gody  through  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift, 

This  is  a  fcheme  for  finners  to  obtain  falvation,  ho- 
norable to  God,  and  fuited,io  their  condition.    Mer- 
cy 


A    FUNERAL    SERMON.        it 

cy  and  truth  may  meet  together,  righteoufnefs  and 
peace  embrace  each  other  ;  God  may  be  glorified,  the 
law  magaified,  ami  the  finner  pardoned  and  faved. 

This  is  a  device  worthy  of  a  God,  and  merits  the 
admiration  and  wonder  of  the  whole  intelligent  crea- 
tion. 

2.  They  muft  differ  from  the  reft  of  mankind  by 
having  their  hearts  fiiited  to  the  great  good  there  en- 
joyed, and  fo  to  rclifh  the  blifs  and  happinefs  of  that 
world. 

The  felicity  of  heaven  is  not  merely  negative,  but 
it  is  pofitive  ;  fuch  as  is  fuited  only  to  perfons  of  a 
diftinguifhed,  particular,  moral  chara(5l:er.  In  heaven, 
there  is  not  only  no  evil  endured,  but  a  good  poflelTed 
of  invaluable  worth.  This  good  is  of  a  peculiar  na- 
ture and  kind. 

To  fettle  the  point  then,  when  perfons  are  prepared 
to  die,  by  being  prepared  for  heaven,  wc  muft  confi- 
der  the  nature  of  the  good  there  enjoyed,  and  fo  the 
nature  of  the  happinefs  of  that  world. 

In  this  world,  men  have  different  taftes,  appetites 
and  propenfities  ;  hence,  they  fteer  their  courfes  dif- 
ferently, feeking  happinefs  in  different  objects.  Rich- 
es are  the  idol  of  many.  Worldly  honor  dazzles  the 
eyes  of  not  a  few.  Women  and  wine  are  in  the  high- 
eft  eftimation  by  multitudes.  Sqme  prefer  a  tavern 
to  any  home,  where  the  juice  of  the  grape  and  intox- 
icating liquors  are  plenty,  and  all  is  noife  and  tumult. 
Some  are  delighted  widi  mufic  and  dancing,  and  foaie 
with  chambering  and  wantonnefs.  In  various  ways 
men  feek  for  happinefs.  But,  in  heaven,  there  is  nei- 
ther filver  nor  gold  j  no  carnal  mirrh,  or  any  finful 

gratifications 


rx        A  FUNERAL    SERMON^. 

g;ratifications.  That  is  a  world  facrcd  to  virtue,  p»* 
rity  and  holinefs,  God  is  the  good  there  enjoyed, 
and  froni  thence  refults  its  chief  felicity.  Were  the 
inhabitants  of  Paradife  deprived  of  enjoying  God, 
their  laughter  would  be  turned  into  mourning,  and 
their  joy  into  heavinefs.  Every  harp  would  be  un- 
ftrung,  and  all  the  fongs  of  Zicn  ceafe. 

But  know  ye,  that  God  is  infinitely  holy,  and  there- 
fore the  good  there  enjoyed  is  of  an  holy  nature.  Hd 
declares  himfelf  to  be  holy.  The  angeb  pronounce 
him  fuch.  His  moral  government  bears  witnefs  to 
that  truth.  Tlie  law  requires  holinefs,  and  the  great 
defign  of  the  gofpel  is  to  recover  men  to  fuch  a  ftatCy 
and  fo  to  a  conformity  to  the  moral  image  of  God. 
^s  therefore  God  is  the  chief  good  of  heaven,  and  as 
he  is  an  holy  God,  fo  to  be  pr^-pared  to  die,  is  to  have 
an  holy  temiper  of  heart,  prepared  to  enjoy  him,  arid 
to  be  happy  in  that  enjoyment. 

Without  fuch  a  difpofition,  it  Is  abfurd  to  fuppofe 
that  he  can  be  enjoyed  as  the  portion  of  the  foul.  For 
what  fellowjhip  hath  right eoujnefs  with  unrighteoujnejs  ^ 
what  communion  hath  light  with  darknejs  ?  and  what 
concord  hath  Chrift  with  Belial  ?  Deftitute  of  fuch  a 
temper,  it  is  in  the  nature  of  things,  impoffible  for 
perfons  to  find  contentment  in  God.  To  this  end, 
they  mud  be  conformed  to  him  in  holinefs.  Accord- 
ingly, it  is  reprefented,  as  being  the  defiga  of  Chrift, 
in  coming  into  the  world  and  laying  down  hk  life  to 
redeem  his  people  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  them 
unto  himfelf,  a  peculiar  people  zealous  of  good  works^ 

Analogous  to  what  hath  now  been  faid, 

3.  That  perfons  may  be  ready  to  die,  their  minds 
muft  be  formed  and  fuited  to  the  fociety,  byfinefe  and 
einployment  of  the  heavenly  world. 

The 


A    FUNERAL    SEROTON.         ij 

The  beings  wiih  whom  they  are  to  afibciate  in  that 
world,  are  the  ekdl  angels,  and  faints  made  perfe^l  in 
holineis.  The  nioral  chara:6ler  of  the  heavenly  inhabit- 
ants, is  one  and  the  fame.  They  are  perfectly  joined 
together  in  the  fame  mind,  and  in  the  fame  judgment. 
And  as  their  moral  chara6ler  is  the  fame,  fo  it  accords^ 
io  that  of  God  himfelf.  He  is  an  holy  being ;  and 
as  they  are  conformed  to  him,  fo  they  are  holy.  To 
be  prepared  to  die,  is  to  have  a  mind  formed  for  the 
fociety  of  fuch  beino;s.  And  it  is  alfo  to  have  a  taflc 
fuited  to  the  bufineis  and  employment  of  that  world. 

In  that  blefled  region,  there  is  room  for  the  moft 
vigorous  exertion  ;  every  inliabitant  hath  bufinefs  af- 
figned  him,  which  will  demand  ail  ifis  attention,  thro' 
fhe  whole  of  his  endlefs  exlRence.  And  fuch  will  it 
be,  as  can  only  delight  the  upright  in  heart.  Far  dif- 
ferent will  it  be  from  the  temporary  concerns  of  the 
preferit  ftate.  The  products  of  the  earth  are  the  me- 
dium by  which  life  in  the  prcfcnt  (late  is  fapportcd  ; 
a?nd  to  procure  them,  calls  for  much  attention  and 
eare.  But  the  employ  of  heaven  confifts,  and  wiU 
forever,  in  furveying  the  works  of  God,  contemplat- 
ing his  perfc6lions,  and  celebrating  his  praife.  From 
the  enjoyment  of  him,  principally  refults  the  ha-ppinefs 
of  heaven  ;  hence,  the  more  fully  he  is  enjoyed,  the 
greater  will  be  the  felicity.  And  as  the  eniovm.ent 
will  be  anfvverable  to  the  knowledge  of  the  objefb,  the 
fludy  of  his  perfeftions  will  engage  the  min^Ls  of  its 
inhabitants  ;  and  while  they  ftudy  and  invefiig-atc, 
they  will  not  forget  to  praife.  God  is  infinite;  ^ 
therefore,  creatures  miuft  obtain  the  knowledge  of  him, 
hy  the  manifeftations  he  makes  of  hlmfeif,  they  •vili 
attend  to  his  works,  that  they  may  learn  his  characler, 
and  increafe  their  acquaintance  v/ith  him.  The  gre^r 
work  of  redemption,  being  that  by  which  he  liath  ma« 


14       A    FITNERAL   S  E  R  M  O  K, 

mfefted  himfclf  more  clearly  than  in  all  his  other  works, 
xhty  will  contemplate  it  with  ineffable  pleafure,  in- 
creafe  their  knowledge,  and  heighten  their  happinefs. 
And  praifes  to  God  and  the  Lamb  will  be  lung  in 
flich  drains  of  rapturous  joy,  as  furpafTes  all  prelenC 
conceptions  ;  and  a  period,  as  bound lefs  as  eternity 
itfc'Uvwill  be  allowed  them  in  that  bkfled  fociety  and 
divine  employ ment« 

Thus  I  have  attempted  to  point  out  and  Ihew,  what 
is  implied  in  preparation  for  death.  Union  to  Chrifl: 
by  faith,  and  a  holy  temper  of  heart,  comprifes  the 
whole.  Yet,  to  what  hath  been  faid,  I  may  add,  that 
to  be  under  circumllances  to  fay  with  the  Apoflle,  / 
am  nczv  ready  to  he  offered^  it  is  requifite  that  perfons 
have  comfortable  and  fatisfying  evidence  of  their  title 
to  and  meetnefs  for  the  world  of  glory.  This  is  to 
be  attained  by  living  religion,  and  m.aintaining  a 
eourie  of  perfevering  fidelity  to  God.  To  this  end, 
they  muil  add  to  faith  virtue,  to  virtue  knowledge, 
to  knowlege  temperence,  to  temperence  patience,  and 
to  patience  godlinefs.  They  muft  imitate  the  exam- 
ple, not  of  (lumbering,  but  of  wakeful  virgins,  having 
their  lamps  trimmed  and  burning,  waiting  for  the 
coming  of  the  bleffed  Bridegroom.  They  muft  live 
as  llrangers  and  pilgrims  on  earth  \  as  men  on  a  jour- 
ney, travelling  to  adiftant  countr}^,  who  fit  not  down 
by  the  way,  but  keep  their  eye  on  the  end  of  their 
journey,  and  make  that  the  goal  at  which  thjey  af- 
pire.  That  fo  when  death  arrefts  them,  may  be  rea- 
dy to  bid  it  welcome,and  prepared  to  enter  upon  the 
joys  of  heaven  which  are  fatisfying  and  everlafting. 

I  fhall  now  proceed  to    clofe  this  Difcourfe,  with 

fome  remarks  and  addreilcs.  And,    , 

I.  Iknce  let  it  be  remarked,  that  death  is  the  ap- 
pointed 


A    FUNERAL   SERMON,         15 

pointed  lot  of  us  all:  And  whether  prepared  or  not, 
may  be  nigh  at  hand. 

That  fentence  of  God  to  Adam,  Duft  thcu  €irt^  arj 
unto  dufi  JJoalt  thou  return  J  applies  to  all  his  poflemy. 
Nothing  can  give  us  fecurity  of  life;  no,  not  for  an 
hour.  Are  we  in  childhood,  )  outhfui  life,  or  middle 
age,  we  know  not  the  day  of  our  death.  If  we  (lat- 
ter ourfelves,  that  to-morrow  fliall  be  as  this  day  ;  yet, 
this  day,  or  this  night,  our  fouls  may  be  required  of  us. 

2.  Let  it  be  remarked,  that  as  preparation  for 
death,  ha^h  been  fet  before  you  at  this  time,  (b  yoii 
are  under  advantages  to  learn  whether  you  are  the  lub- 
je6ls  of  it. 

And  let  me  afk  you,  do  you  entertain  hope,  that 
your  title  to  heaven  is  fure  ?  If  fo,  on  what  ground  do 
you  build  your  hope  ?  On  the  works  of  the  lav/,  or  on 
Chrift  Jefus,  the  only  fure  foundation  ?  If  you  think 
on  Chrift,  why  think  you  fo  ?  Have  you  ever  been 
made  fenfible  of  yourlofl  perifhing  condition  in  your- 
felves?  Has  the  law  come  home  on  your  confciences, 
fin  revived  in  your  view,  and  you  made  fc:nfible,  you 
were  dead  in  fin  ?  Can  you  call  to  m.ind  the  time, 
when  he  who  commanded  the  light  to  fhine  out  of 
darknefs,  Ihone  into  your  hearts,  to  give  you  the  light 
of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  in  the  face  of 
Jefus  Chrift  ? 

Have  you  the  fpirit  of  the  gofpel  ?  Is  the  law  writ- 
ten in  your  hearts  ?  Do  you  delight  in  it  ?  And  afrc 
you  pleafed  with  the  gofpel  fcheme  ?  Do  you  take 
God's  word  to  be  your  rule,  and  attend  with  perfe- 
vering  fidelity,  upon  the  duties  of  the  firft  and  fecond 
table  of  the  law  ?  Is  God  the  ohjedl  of  your  worfhip, 
in  the  clofet,  family,  and  fanduary  ?  Are  the  righte- 
ous 


t6        A   FUNERAL    SERMON. 

ous  in  your  view,  the  excellent  of  the  earth  ?  Do  yoti 
make  a  point  of  all  perfonal  and  relative  duties,  livl 
Jng  foberly,  rightcouQy,  and  godly  in  the  world  P  Are 
you  perfons  of  meeknefs,  and  gendenefs,  as  the  ferviints 
of  Chrrfl  ?  Fcllowing  peace  with  all  msn^  and  hclinejs.^ 
withcut  which  no  man  jhalljee  the  Lord,  Do  you 
mourn  on  account  of  remaining  corruption  ?  And  for- 
getting the  things  which  are  behind,  do  you  prefs  for- 
ward toward  perfeftion  ?  Is  religion  your  delight,  and 
tliat  which  you  are  after  to  apprehend  that  for  'zz'hich 
ycu  are  apprehended  cf  Chrifi  ^  If  fo,  thefe  are  fymp- 
toms,  that  you  are  heirs  of  the   heavenly  inheritance. 

3.  Hence  let  it  be  remarked,  that  the  people  of 
God  have  reafon  to  rejoice  in  the  near  view  of  their 
departure.  Death  will  make  an  alteration  much  to 
their  advantage.  It  will  liberate  them  from  all  the 
troubles  and  calamities  of  the  prefent  ilate,  and  intro- 
duce them  to  the  uninterrupted  enjoyment  of  the 
greateil  good.  Biejfed  are  the  dead,  who  die  in  the  Lord^ 
The  grave  is  a  quiet  refiing  place  for  tfieir  bodies, 
and  their  fouls  are  inconceivably  happy  in  the  prefence 
and  fruition  of  their  God.  Death  to  the  faints,  is  but 
to  bid  farewel  to  this  v/orld,  to  be  with  Chrifl,  join 
the  fongs,  and  aid  the  trium.phs  of  heaven.  Thence 
forth  they  are  ever  before  the  throne  of.  God,  and  ferve 
him  day  and  night  in  his  temple :  And  the  Lamb  in 
the  midft  of  the  throne,  feeds  them,  and  leads  them 
unto  living  fountains  of  water ;  and  God  wipes  away 
all  tears  from  their  eyes. 

4.  Let  it  be  remarked,  that  the  preparations  for 
death  fpoken  of  in  the  preceding  part  of  this  dif* 
cpurfe,  we  may  reafonably  believcj  took  plaee  i^  that 
VENERABLE  PERSON^   whofc  dead)  we  ax.e  called  to 

lament* 

Hence, 


A  FUNERAL    SERMON.         17 

Hence,  in  the  near  view  of  his  departure,  he  might 
with  propriety  have  aflumed  the  language  of  our  apof- 
tle,  in  the  verfes  following  our  text ;  /  have  fought  a 
good  fight  ^  1  havefinifhedmy  courfe^  I  have  kept  the  faith  : 
Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  right eouf- 
nefsy  which  the  Lord^  the  righteous  Judge  fhall  give  me 
at  that  day\  and  not  to  me  only  hut  unto  all  them, 
who  love  his  appearing.  As  a  minifter  of  Chrift  Jcfus, 
and  as  a  Chriilian,  he  had  fought  a  good  fight,  done 
the  work,  gone  through  the  hard  (hips  of  his  fpiritual 
warfire,  and  been  happily  inftrumental  of  promoting 
the  caufe  of  the  exalted  Redeemer.  He  had  kept  the 
faith,  bringing  forth  the  fruit  of  the  fpirit  in  aa  holy 
life,  and  vindicating  the  do6trinesofthegofpel,  inop- 
poficion  to  the  corrupt  fcntiments  of  the  day  in  which 
"he  lived. 

Between  the  apoMe  and  him,  there  was  m  many 
Tefpecls,  a  great  fimilarity.  Paul  profeiTed  Chriftia- 
nit}^,  and  fo  did  he.  Paul  was  a  minifter  of  Chrift, 
and  fo  was  he,  Paul  fpent  his  life  in  the  golpel  mi- 
niftry,  and  fo  did  he. 

Befides  his  dated  labours  at  home,  he  rode  and 
preached  abundantly  abroad.  la  this,  as  well  as  by 
his  writings,  in  defence  of  the  gofpel,  to  which  wc 
might  add,  his  inftru6ting  of  candidates  for  the  evan- 
gelical miniftry,  he  was  a  rich  blefTing  to  the  church  of 
Chrifl  in  New-England,  and  to  the  Chriftian  Church 
in  general. 

It  pleafed  God,  in  the  early  part  of  his  life,  to  call 
him  by  his  grace,  and  reveal  his  Son  in  him,  that  he 
"might  preach  to  mankind  the  unlearchable  riches  df 
Chrift.  The  power  of  religion  which  he  experienced 
in  his  own  foul,  fwectly  conftrained  him  to  devpte  his 

C  life 


iS        A    FUNERAL    SERMON. 

life  to  that  glorious  work.  When  but  young,  he  ap- 
plied himfelf  with  affiduity,  to  the  ftudy  of  divinity, 
in  which  he  made  fb  laudable  proficiency,  that  he  foon 
became  qualified  for  the  work,  which  ever  after  was 
the  delight  of  his  heart.  His  tafte  for  divine  things, 
excited  him  to  fearch  with  indefatigable  induftry  after 
knowledge,  that  he  might  become  more  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  the  things  which  appertain  to  the 
kingdom  of  God.  Application,  aided  by  eminent  na- 
tural abilities,  rendered  him  one  of  the  mofl  able  di- 
vines, and  brighteft  luminaries,  in  this  our  weftern 
world. 

.  A  fuperficial  knowledge  of  things  did  little  fatisfy 
his  great  contemplative  mind.  He  fearched  for  know- 
ledge, as  for  fiiver,  and  took  peculiar  pleafure  in  find- 
ing out  not  only  what  was  true,  but  why  it  was  fo. 

In  a  variety  of  refpe(5ls,  he  fhonc  with  diftinguifh- 
ed  luflre.  Extenfive  fcience,  eafe  of  communicating 
his  ideas,  rendered  him  one  of  the  befl  inftru6lors. 
He  was  not  unacquainted  with  perfons  and  things,  as 
he  perufed  every  author  which  came  to  his  hands. 
This  enabled  him  to  converfe  with  propriety  and  to 
edification  on  almof!;  every  fubjedt. 

In  councils,  lie  was  much  improved ;  for  with  fin- 
■gular  facility,  could  he  look  into  cafes  of  difficulty,  and 
inveftigate  ways  and  means   for  ajuft  and  amicable 
fettlemenr. 

His  benevolent  feelings,  were  not  confined  to  a  nar- 
row circle,  but  were  as  extenfive  as  the  globe.  Sion 
lay  near  his  heart,  her  ruins  he  lan^ented,  and  her  prof- 
perity,  filled  him  with  exceeding  joy.  Oh,  what  marks 
,of  anguifh  have  I  feen  in  him,  v/hcn  furveying  the  ftatc 

of 


A    FUNERAL    SERMON.         19 

of  the  world  lying  in  wickednefs — God  dilTionored,  his 
law  contemned,  his  grace  defpifed,  and  mankind  in- 
volving themfelves  in  irretrievable  ruin.  Thefe  re- 
flexions almoft  overwhelmed  his  pio-js  foul,  and  de- 
ftroyed  his  comfort.  He  had  but  one  refuge,  which 
was  God.  His  providence  he  believed  to  be  univer- 
fal,  and  that  good  would  refult  from  all  the  evil  which 
took  place,  by  the  agency  of  him,  who  made  all  things 
for  himfclf,  and  is  engaged  to  fecure  his  own  glory. 

His  acquaintance,  as  well  with  the  political  as  mo- 
ral ftate  of  the  world,  was  general,  and  efpecially  of 
his  native  country  ;  and  like  the  men  of  IfTachar,  un- 
derftood  the  times,  to  know  what  Ifrael  ought  to  do. 
However,  divinity  was  his  favorite  fludy,  and  gained 
his  chief  attention. 

As  a  preacher,  he  had  perhaps  no  fuperior,  and  ve- 
ry few  equals.  His  voice  was  manly,  his  manner 
engaging.  Even  thofe  who  were  unfriendly  to  his  re- 
ligious fentiments,  were  pleafed  to  hear  him  preach. 
His  voice  was  mufic  to  their  earsi  his  method  invit- 
ing. In  the  defk,  he  appeared  to  underftand  human 
nature  to  perfedion,  and  knew  how  toaddrefs  him- 
felf  to  his  auditory,  fo  as  feldom  failed  of  gaining  uni- 
verfal  attention.  He  was  mafter  of  his  fubjedl  when 
he  fpake,  and  had  a  fingular  faculty  of  adapting  him- 
felf  to  the  meanefl  capacity.  As  his  field  was  bound- 
lefs,  he  gave  fcope  to  his  penetrating  genius,  and  fa- 
vored his  hearers  with  a  rich  v..riety.  No  fubjedt  ef- 
caped  his  notice,  or  that  was  not  at  proper  times,  held 
up  to  the  view  of  his  people.  By  this  means,  their 
advantages  were  great  to  make  fwift  progrefs  in  know- 
ledge, and  become  a  people  of  much  underftanding. 
Yet,  the  more  important  things  of  religion  were  chief- 
ly dwelt  upon  by  him  in  his  public  performances.    His 

pri^ 


2a      A    FUNERAL   SERMON. 

primary  aim,  was  to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  an(>  the 
good  of  immortal  fouls.  You  well  know,  that  his  ta- 
lent was  furprifing  at  painting  divine  truth,  in  the  mod 
lively  colours,  and  making  invifible  things  appear 
near  and  real.  The  pafTions  of  his  auditory  were  at 
his  command,  and  he  well  knew  how  to  inftrudk  the 
undcrftanding,  and  touch  the  heart. 

When  the  law  was  his  theme,  Ivlount-Sinai  was  all 
in  a  finoke;  the  thunder  and  the  lightning  iffued  from 
his  lips,  and  all  was  folemn  as  the  grave.  On  the 
contrary,  in  the  moft  melting  ftrains,  would  he  de- 
fcribe  the  fufFerings  of  Chrift,  his  matchlefs  love  for 
finners,  and  in  perfuafive  eloquence,  invite  them  to  bo 
reconciled  to  God.  With  what  amazing  terror,  would 
he  reprefent  the  torments  of  the  damned!  And  in  what 
lively  pi6tures,  lay  open  the  glories  of  heaven,  and 
paint  the  joys  of  the  paradife  of  God  !  He  Was  truly 
a  workman,  who  needed  not  to  be  afhamed. 

But  after  all,  it  was  the  will  of  heaven,  that  he 
ihould  fhare  the  common  lot  of  mankind,  and  ceafe  to 
be  afojourneron  earth.  Death,  inexorable  death,  hath 
ended  his  long  and  ufeful  life ;  it  hath  removed  him 
far  away  from  all  tranfitory  things. 

In  his  laft  illnefs,  when  he  moft  poflefled  himfelf, 
he  appeared  to  enjoy  great  ferenity  of  mind,  and  to 
look  forward  with  pleafing,  nay^  almoft  impatient  ex- 
pedlation,  of  the  glory  that  fhould  be  revealed.  His 
mind  was  much  engaged  in  the  contemplation  of  the 
perfeftions  and  government  of  God,  and  of  the  ilTue 
to  which  things  would  be  brought,  under  the  dire6li- 
on  of  the  wife  Governor  of  the  World.  He  was  fa- 
tisfied  as  to  the  truth  of  the  religion  he  had  profcffed, 
^nd  derived  great  comfort  from  the  evidence  he  had 

of 


A    FUNERAL    SERMON.      21 

of  his  experimental  acquaintance  therewith.  He  an- 
ticipated the  joys  of  heaven — he  longed  to  be  then-. 
The  manner  of  his  dying,  was  not  fuch,  as  had  it  been 
left  to  his  choice,  would  have  been  mod  agreeable  to 
him,  having  repeatedly  faid,  he  could  wifh  to  drop 
dead  in  his  pulpit,  at  the  clofe  of  public  exercife.  But 
it  was  not  the  pleafure  of  God  to  gratify  him  herein. 
He  was  continued  upon  the  threlhold  of  eternity  for 
more  than  three  years.  Though  it  was  contrary  to 
his  expedation,  to  be  thus  long  fufpended  between  the 
earth  and  heaven,  he  acquiefced  in  the  wifdom  of 
Providence.  The  welcome  mefienger  hath  at  length 
arrived,  put  a  period  to  his  troubles,  and  crowned  his 
willies. 

Behold,  there  lies  the  remains  of  that  eminent  fervant 
of  God,  wrapped  in  a  winding-fheet,  and  drefTed  for 
the  grave !  Mourn  ye  inhahitants  of  Bethlem,  let  the 
town  of  Woodbury,  join  in  the  lamentation.  Let  the 
neighbouring  hills  echo  the  found,  and  the  waves  of 
the  fea  roll  the  tide  of  grief  to  diftant  regions.  Lee 
the  church  of  God  in  every  realm,  take  a  fympathetic 
part,  and  bewail  her  lofs.  O  Zion,  one  of  thy  (Irong 
pillars  is  removed,  one  of  thy  gapmen  is  no  more. 

But  not  to  purfue  thefe  reflexions,  I  fhall  proceed 
to  fome  addrelTes,  and  fo  clofe  the  fubje<5l:.       And, 

I.  This  folemn  occadon  dictates  the  propriety  of 
faying  a  few  words  to  her  whom  God  hath  bereaved 
of  the  neareft  friend  in  life. 

Much  reJpeSted  MadatUy 

Divine  Providence  hath  realised  to  you,  the  truth 
of  man's  mortality,  by  removing  your  afFed:ionate  huf- 
band  from  your  embraces.  This  is  not  the  firft,  nor 
the  fecond  time  in  which  lover  and  friend^  have  been 

removed 


22      A   FUNERAL  SERMON. 

removed  far  from  you,  and  your  acquaintance  into 
darknefs.*  We  defirc  to  fympathize  with  you  in  your 
affli(5lion,  and  to  bear  a  part  with  you,  in  your  for- 
row.  In  the  death  of  the  deceafed,  you  have  loft: 
a  companionate  hufband,  a  faithful  friend,  an  able 
guide,  whom,  had  heaven  feen  fit  to  fparc,  and  fparc 
in  health,  might  have  been  a  rich  blefTing  to  you. 
His  tender  regard  for  you^  was  confpicuous,  and  ta 
render  you  happy  was  an  obje6l  of  his  attention  and 
care.  The  footfleps  of  divine  providence,  in  his  re- 
moval, feem  fomewhat  myfterious.  Why  is  it,  that 
he  fhould  become  helplefs,  fo  foon  after  you  had  form- 
ed thofe  conne6tions,  which  by  his  death,  are  diflblv- 
cd  ?  Why,  when  you  had  fo  newly  began  in  ma- 
trimonial endearments,  to  tafte  the  fweets  of  domeftic 
happinefs;  and  when  you  had  a  profpe6l  of  living 
fome  years  in  a  family  ftate,  muft  he  be  feized  with 
that  fatal  difeafe  which  put  a  period  to  his  life  ?  God's 
way  is  fometimcs  in  the  fea,  his  path  in  the  mighty 
waters,  and  his  defigns  unfathomable.  Yet,  from  the 
perfeflions  of  his  nature,  we  are  bound  to  believe, 
that  juftice  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  his  throne. 

It  muft  afford  you  fenfible  fatisfadion,  that  you  dif- 
charged  the  duties  of  your  relation  to  him,  with 
fidelity  J  as  you  have  negledled  nothing,  to  lengthen 
put  a  life  fo  valuable  and  dear.  But  his  day  was  come 
to  fall;  the  unchanged  decree  of  heaven  muft  bring 
forth.  His  death  is  the  refult  of  unerring  wifdom,  and 
perfed  moral  reditude.  Therefore,  inftead  of  find- 
ing fault  with  God's  adminiftrations,  hufh  every  rifing 
murmur,  quietly  acquiefce.  Eye  with  attention,  the 
hand  which  fmites  you  j  patiently  fubmit  to  the  rod 
by  which  you  v/ere  chaftizcd.     Then  fhall  meat  come 

out 


•  She  had  before  loft  two  hufbands,  the  R.»v.  Mr.  Lca-yltt,  «f  Somers,   ihA 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Storrs,  ef  NQrthburj-, 


A   FUNERAL    SERMON.        23 

•out  of  the  cater,  and  fweetnefsoutof  the  ftrong— your 
afHiclions  fhall  be  your  blelTings.  We  wifh  you  the 
light  of  God*s  countenance,  the  fupport  of  his  graci- 
ous fpirit.  He  is  able  to  comfort  you  in  all  your  tri- 
bulations. He  can  adminifter  abundant  confolation. 
You  have  loft  but  a  ftream,  God  is  a  fountain.  In 
him  all  fullnefs  dwells.  To  him  we  invite  you  to  look, 
and  under  the  fhadow  of  his  wings,  to  feek  refuge. 
May  this  affli<5live  providence,  befandcifiedtoyou;  may 
it  be  the  happy  means  of  preparing  you  to  follow  your 
departed  confort  into  the  world  of  fpirits ;  that  you 
may  be  happy  with  him,  in  the  enjoyment  of  God  for- 
ever. This,  dear  Madam,  is  our  ardent  wifh,  and 
with  this,  we  muft  clofe  our  addrefs  to  you. 

2.  The  children  of  the  dcceafed,  next  claim  pur  at- 
tention. 

Jffll5led  Friends y 

Confidering  the  heavy  lofs  you  fuftain,  and  the  keen 
fenfibllity  it  muft  occafion,  I  feel  myfelf  at  a  lofs,  in 
what  language  to  addrefs  you.  The  near  relation 
which  fubfifted  between  the  dcceafed  and  you,  toge- 
ther with  the  paternal  tendernefs  he  exercifed  toward 
you,  muft  necefTarily  caufe  his  death,  to  be  greatly  la- 
mented. By  his  removal,  you  have  experienced  the 
lofs  of  a  father,  nay,  m.ore  than  a  father,  a  kind  parent 
and  a  faithful  minifter.  Should  I  dwell  upon  the  dark 
fide  of  this  difpenfation,  it  would  but  open  thefprings 
of  grief,  it  would  but  enlarge  the  tide  of  forrow.  I 
wifti  not  to  give  you  pain,  but  rather  adminifter  com- 
fort, to  your  Ibrrowful  hearts.  Though  your  dear  pa- 
rent is  gone,  never  more  to  be  an  inhabitant  of  this 
our  world,  you  have  this  fource  of  confolation,  that 
his  death   is   his   eternal  gain.     He  has  exchanged 

worlds 


^5f4        A   FUNERAL   SERMON. 

worlds  infinitely  to  his  advantage.  Methinks  there 
was  a  croud  of  angels,  who  furrounded  his  dying  bed, 
comnniflioned  from  the  court  above,  to  take  the  charge 
t)f  his  departing  fpirit,  and  fee  it  fafely  lodged  in  the 
embraces  of  his  Redeemer.  Charity  forbids  us  to 
place  him,  but  in  the  bofom  of  Abraham,  furround- 
ed with  kindred  fpirits,  folacing  himfelf  at  the  foun- 
tain head  of  delight,  and  drinking  full  draughts  of  the 
rivers  of  pleafure,  which  flow  at  God's  right  hand. 
He  died  but  to  live,  and  to  live  in  a  more  happifying 
and  exalted  manner,  than  when  here  on  the  earth.  You 
have  no  reafon  to  lambent  his  death,  as  a  lofs  to  him- 
felf; for,  while  for  him  to  live,  was  Chriil,  fo,  for  him 
to  die,  was  gain. 

The  calamity  is  yours,  and  great  indeed  is  it,  in 
every  view.  While  you  feel  the  pain,  forget  not  the 
hand  which  caufed  it ;  but  remember  that  fubmillion  is 
your  duty.  Let  God  be  your  refuge,  and  his  name 
your  ftrong  tower.  In  this  dx^y  of  adverfity,  repair  to 
■him  for  proted:ion.  Let  it  be  your  chief  care,  to 
have  a  fandlified  improvement  of  this  providence. 
Then  may  you  fay,  it  is  good  for  you  that  you  have 
been  afflidled.  You  will  never  more  be  bieffed  with 
the  private  councils  or  p.ublic  inftrudlions  of  your  fa- 
ther. Remember  the  pafl ;  lee  them  enter  into  your 
hearts,  copy  them  in  your  lives,  and  you  will  be  wile 
for  yourfelves.  We  commend  you  to  God,  who  is 
able  to  fandlify  this  difpenfation,  and  over-rule  it  to 
your  everlafting  good. 

3.  Let  me  in  the  next  place,  addrefs  myfelf  to  the 
bereaved  church  of  Cirift,  and  congregation  in  this 
place. 

Men^ 


A    FUNERAL    SERMON.        2^ 

Men^  Brethren^  and  Fathers^ 

You  have  occafion  to  fing  of  mercy  and  of  judg- 
tnent.  Of  mercy,  in  fparing  the  life  of  your  worthy 
Paftor  for  fo  many  years  to  you  ;  of  judgment,  in  that 
he  is  called  away,  leaving  you  as  fheep  without  a 
fhepherd.  Your  lofs,  it  is  probable,  is  in  fome  re- 
fpe6ls  irreparable.  It  is  fcarce  to  be  expedled,  that 
you  will  ever  be  blefied  with  another  fo  able,  faithful, 
fkilful  infl:ru61:or.  I  have  in  time  pad  viewed  you  as 
one  of  the  miofl  priviledged  people  on  this  fide  hea- 
ven. O,  v/hat  a  price  have  you  had  in  your  hands  to 
G:et  wifdom  !  what  a  blelTed  chance  for  a  glorious  im- 
mortality  !  But,  alas,  the  labours  of  your  Minifler 
are  over  with  you.  He  has  done  his  work,  and  is 
called  home  to  receive  his  reward.  Your  eyes  will 
lee  him  no  more  3  his  voice  will  no  more  be  heard  a- 
mong  you.  Pie  w'ill  no  more  fet  before  you  the  cha- 
ratler  of  Jehovah,  and  delineate  his  glorious  perfedli- 
ons.  He  will  no  more  bring  into  your  view,  your 
Jiatural  depravity,  or  your  ill  defert  for  fin.  No  more 
unfold  the  riches  of  God's  grace  in  the  gift  of  his  Son, 
difplay  the  banner  of  the  crofs,  and  invite  you  to  take 
ihelter  there.  No  more  explain  the  god-like,  glori- 
ous doftrines  of  grace  contained  in  the  gofpel  3  point 
our  the  nccefTity  of  regeneration,  and  faving  converfi- 
on,  and  Hiew  wherein  they  confifl.  No  more  vindi- 
cate the  doflrine  of  imputed  righteoufnefs  againft  gain- 
fiyers  ;  or  urge  the  im.portance  of  true  holinefs,  ex- 
horting you  to  follow  peace  with  all  men,  and  holinefs, 
without  which  no  man  fhall  fee  the  Lord.  He  v/ill 
no  more  reprove  the  vicious,  deted  the  hypocrite,  or 
perform  any  branch  of  the  minifterial  office.  You, 
who  are  heads  of  families,  will  no  more  hear  the  fo- 
knnn  counfels  of  his  mouth,  and  his  pathetic  intrea- 
ties,  to  take  care  of  vour  own  foul^,  as  well  as  thofe 
'     D  ^t 


%6        AFUNERAL     SERMON. 

of  your  children.  You,  who  are  young,  will  no 
more  be  called  upon  by  him,  to  remember  your  Cre- 
ator, in  the  days  of  your  youth,  to  forfake  the  foolifh 
and  live,  and  go  in  the  way  of  underftanding.  He 
has  bid  a  final  adieu,  to  this  defk,  tothishoufe,  to  this 
people  of  his  charge.  He  will  never  give  you  another 
warning  to  flee  from  impending  danger,  nor  another 
invitation,  to  haften  to  the  mountain  of  fafety.  Lo, 
his  tongue  cleaves  to  the  roof  of  his  mouth,  and  his 
lips  are  fealed  in  death.  Never  forget  his  pafl  la- 
bours among  you  ;  his  prayers  and  tears,  his  cries  and 
inrreaties  with  and  for  you.  Be  humble  under  the 
mighty  hand  of  God.  Confider  the  ground  of  this 
fore  bereavem^ent.  Reflect  upon  the  improvement 
you  have  made  under  the  miniltry  of  this  eminent 
teacher,  whofe  labours  you  fo  long  enjoyed.  Take 
the  warning  given  you  by  the  providence,  and  be 
quickened  thereby,  to  prepare  for  your  own  departure. 
May  a  merciful  God,  who  hath  broken,  heal  you,  and 
he  who  hath  wounded,  bind  you  up.  Brethren,  we 
commend  you  to  God,  and  the  power  of  his  grace, 
who  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  finally  give  you  an 
inheritance  among  them  which  are  fandified  through 
faith  in  the  Redeemer. 

4.  I  am  naturally  led  on  this  occafion,  to  addrefs 
m.yfelf  in  a  few  words,  to  my  Fathers  and  Brethren,  in 
the  work  of  the  miniflry. 

Reverend  Sirs, 

Not  only  one  of  our  fellow  mortals  is  called  away 
by  death,  but  alfo,  a  fellow  labourer  in  the  vineyard 
of  God.  Not  only  a  man,  a  Chriftian,  but  an  eminent 
minifter  of  the  Gofpel.  He  was  intrufted  with  a  like 
office  as  we  s  he  was  engaged  in  the  fame  caufe  with 


AFUNERALSERMON.        27 

ns.  But  neither  his  office,  nor  his  en^xinence,  could 
lecure  him  from  the  ftroke  of  death.  May  we  not 
juftly  lament  over  this  man  of  God  in  the  exprelTive 
language  of  Elifha,  as  he  faw  the  prophet  Elijah  af- 
cending  from  earth  to  heaven,  My  Father^  my  Fcithe}\ 
the  chariot  of  IfraeJy  and  the  horfemen  thereof.  Well 
may  we  cry  out.  Our  fathers^  where  are  they,  and  the  pro^ 
fhets  do  they  live  forever  ?  Hereby  are  we  folemnly 
adrRonifhed  that  we  muft  die.  How  doth  it  become 
us  to  Ihake  off  floth,  and  be  a6live  in  our  Mailer's 
work.  We  are  intruded,  not  only  with  the  care  of 
our  own  fouls,  but  alfo  the  fouls  of  our  people.  Let  us 
awake  to  the  greatefl  of  all  concerns,  the  falvation  of 
men.  It  Ihould  be  our  care  to  follow  the  example  of 
Chrift,  that  we  may  be  patterns  to  our 'flocks,  in  vir- 
tue and  true  piety.  How  ought  love  to  God  and  be- 
nevolence to  men,  to  excite  us  to  difcharge  the  duties 
of  our  office  with  fidelity  !  Let  us  keep  future  reali- 
ties much  in  view,  and  with  an  eye  to  the  day,  when 
we  muft  give  an  account  of  our  ftewardfnip,  let  u? 
pray  for  our  flocks,  warn  finners  of  impending  de- 
{lru6tion,  and  exert  ourfelves  as  under-fhepherds,  to 
turn  them  from  darknefs  to  light,  and  from  the  power 
of  fatan  unto  God.  Let  us  purfue  them  to  the  gates 
of  death,  with  our  entreaties  and  admonitions.  Let 
us  cry  aloud,  and  not  fpare,  lift  up  our  voices  like 
trumpets,  and  Ihew  finners  their  tranfgreffions  and 
fins.  Knowing  the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  let  us  per- 
fuade  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God,  With  bowels  of 
companion  and  tendernefs,  let  us  feed  the  Iheep,  and 
lambs  of  Chrift's  flock,  with  the  fincere  milk  of  the 
word,  that  they  may  grow  thereby.  Let  us  take  heed 
to  ourfelves,  and  to  our  dodlrine,  and  continue  in 
them;  for  in  fo  doing,  we  fhall  both  fave  ourfelves 
and  thofe  that  hear  u$.     And  when  the  chief  Shepherd 

ftiaU 


a«        AFUNERAL    SERMON, 

thall  appear,  we  fhall  receive  a  crown  of  glory,   that 
fadeth  not  away. 

To  conclude.  Let  one  and  all  lay  it  to  heart,  that 
they  muft  die :  and  now  in  this  their  day,  attend  to  the 
things  which  belong  to  their  peace,  left  they  be  hi4 
from  their  eyes.     Amen. 


iv^.f*s«^»*r^« 


APPENDIX. 


'^T^HE  principal  defign  of  publifliing  memoirs 
•*-  of  men,  eminent  in  knowledge  and  pi- 
ety, is  the  benefit  of  furvivors,  through  the  in- 
fluence of  example.  With  this  view  the  fol- 
lowing fketches  arc  prefented  to  the  reader. 

The  editor  enters  on  the  work  with  diffi- 
dence; but  he  owes  it  to  the  memory  of  his 
venerable  friend,  to  fuch  as  fhall  read  his  the- 
ological writings,  and  to  the  churches  of  Chrift, 

The  fummary  of  Dr.  Bellamy's  charafter, 
as  a  Chriftian  and  minifter,  in  the  preceeding 
difcourfe,  was  all  that  was  neceffary,  or  per- 
haps proper,  on  that  folem.n  occafion  :  To  thofe 
who  wxre  perfonally,  and  many  of  them  inti-. 
mately  acquainted,  it  was  fufficient.  The  fol- 
lowing particulars  are  fubjoined  for  the  informa- 
tion of  ftrangers. 

Th^ 


36  APPENDIX. 

The  Reverend  Dr.  Joseph  Bellamy,  was 
Wra  at  New-Chefhire,  in  the  county  of  New* 
Haven,  of  reputable  parents,  in  the  year  171 9. 
His  early  days  were  devoted  to  literature  ;  and  at 
the  age  of  fix  teen  years,  he  was  graduated  at 
Yale- College,  in  New-Haven.  The  courfe  of 
his  academical  ftudics  being  finifhed,  he  retired 
from  the  univerfity.  And,  from  his  private 
writings,  "*  which  were  begun  about  this  time, 
it  appears  that  it  was  not  long,  after  his  remov- 
al from  New-Haven,  before  he  became  the  fub- 
jeft  of  thofe  icrious  impreffions,  which  we  have 
abundant  reafon  to  believe,  iffued  ir^  a  faving  con- 
verfion. 

From  this  period  he  confecrated  his  talents 
and  ftudies  to  the  evangelical  miniftry.  At  a- 
bout  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  pafled  the  ufual  ex- 
amination before  the  Aflbciation  of  New-Haven 
county,  and  received  their  recommendation  as  a 
candidate  for  the  gofpel  miniftry.  He  preach- 
ed in  feveral  congregations  to  good  acceptance, 
and  with  hopeful  fuccefs.  But  a  diftinguifhing 
bleffing  attended  his  miniftry,  to  the  people  of 
Bethlem>  in  the  town  of  Woodbury.     A  large 

pro- 


*  Among  the  Doftor's  papers  is  found  a  joiirnal,  contalnlrg  an  account  of 
Ills  life^  religious  cxercifes,  &c.  v/alch  he  had  kept,  a  number  of  years,  for  the 
alGdaace  of  ferious  refteition  in  liis  own  bread.  Extrads  from  ihefe  private 
vrrrtings,  together  with  the  publication  ot  feveral  trails  of  his,  on  important  fubr 
lt£ts,  might  better  illuftratc  th?  chsrail-tr  »b»ve  att<f«»pted,  kut  casuist  have 
fQocu  ia  thia  Appcsiix. 


APPENDIX.  31 

proportion  of  this  infant  fociety  appeared  to 
be  awakened  to  a  becoming  fenfe  of  religion. 
The  congregation,  though  fmall,  could  by  no 
means  be  reconciled  to  part  with  the  man, 
by  whofe  miniftry  fo  many  of  them  thought 
tliey  had  been  conducted  to  a  faving  know- 
ledge of  the  truth.  After  much  deliberation, 
prayer  and  confultation  with  his   fathers  in  the 

miniftry he  determined  to  accept  their  cal}. 

And  was  accordingly  ordained  to  the  gofpel 
miniftry,  and  the  paftoral  office  over  the  church 
in  Bethlem,  in  the  fpring  of  1740.  In  this  re- 
tirement from  the  world,  he  devoted  himfelf^ 
with  uncommon  ardor,  to  his  ftudies,  and  the 
duties  of  his  office  among  his  people,  till  the 
memorable  revival  of  religion  in  New- En  gland, 
and  other  parts  of  America,  as  well  as  Europe  ^ 
which  began  in  1740,  and  was  moft  confpicu- 
ous  in  1742. — From  that  time  he  could  not  be 
contented  to  tarry  at  home.  The  fpirit  of  ardent 
piety,  which  had  marked  his  path  for  feveral 
years,  kindled,  on  this  occalion,  into  a  flame^ 
Seeing  the  fields  white  unto  harveft,  he  thought 
he  had  a  divine  call  to  more  exteniive  labours. 
Taking  care  that  his  own  pulpit  fhould  be  vacant 
^as  little  as  poffible,  he  devoted  a  coniiderable  por- 
tion of  his  time,  for  feveral  years,  to  itinerating, 
in  different  parts  of  Connecticut  and  the  neigh- 
bouring Colonies — preaching  the  gofpel  daily, 
and,  often,  repeatedly  in  a  day — multitudes  flock- 
ing 


32  APPENDIX. 

inj:  to  hear  the  word — and  crowdins  to  his  lbd?« 
ings  for  private  inflrudlions.  Such  appearances 
Were  exceedingly  common  in  that  happy  feafon 
of  the  plentiful  effufions  of  divine  grace.  And 
the  many  faithful  labourers  who,  like  the  Dodlor, 
were  engaged  in  that  moft  delightful  fervice^ 
found  the  work  growing  on  their  hands — and 
had  the  moft  animating  profped:  of  fuccefs. 

During  the  continuance  of  this  extraordinary' 
attention  to  religion  in  the  land.  Dr.  Bellamy 
perfevered  in  unremitted  labours,  deiirous,  as  far 
pofiible,  to  "  preach  the  gofpel  to  every  creature.'* 
And,  as  far  as  man  could  judge,  he  was  inftru- 
mentalofthe  faving  converfion  of  many,  and  of 
building  them  up  in  the  moft  holy  faith.  It  is, 
however,  to  be  acknowledged,  with  deep  humi- 
liation, that  the  latter  part  of  that  wonderful  fea-- 
fon  was  by  no  means  equal  to  the  expectations  of 
its  pious  friendsi  In  the  early  ftages  of  the  work, 
it  feemed  to  be  happily  free  from  impure  mix- 
tures. And  many  pious  minifters  were  ready  to 
believe  that  the  latter  day  glory  of  the  church 
was  dawning*  But,  towards  the  conclulion  of 
thofe  religious  operations,  the  profped:  began  ftn- 
fibly  to  decline.  Satan,  who  had  in  vain  at- 
tempted to  put  a  flop  to  this  good  work  by  open 
oppofition,  at  length  transformed  himfelf  into 
?in  angel  of  light.  This  produced  a  flood  of  en- 
thufiafm  raid  falfe  religion,  under  vaiious  names. 
,.  -  Manv 


APPENDIX. 


33 


Many  ignorant  and  vain  pretenders,  lo  uncom- 
mon attainments  in  religion,  fet  up  for  public 
teachers — diviiions  and  Reparations  were  multi- 
plied—the religious  awakening  declined  faft— 
the  enemy  triumphed  j  and  the  friends  of  Zion 
mourned. 

The  profpeft  of  ^ny  eOnfiderable  ufefulnefs^ 
from  itinerating,  being  now  clouded^  Mr.  Bel- 
lamy, as  well  as  others,  returned  to  a  more  con- 
ftant  attention  to  his  own  charge.  At  this  time 
he  entered  on  the  important  tafk  of  writing 
his  piece,  entitled.  True  Rdigion  delineated, --^ 
Though  but  a  youth  at  this  time,  he  feems  to 
have  been  peculiarly  qualified  for  a  work  of  this 
kind  :  Not  only  from  his  diftinguirtied  abilities^ 
ardent  piety,  great  diligence  in  treafuring  up  the- 
ological knowledge,  and  an  intimate  acquaintance 
with  fome  of  the  moft  eminent  Divines,  then 
in  New-England,  efpecially  the  Reverend  Jo- 
nathan Edwards,  whofe  praijfe  is  ftill  in  our 
churches ;  but  alfo  from  the  uncommon  atten- 
tion which  he  had  given  to  the  ^arks  of  dif- 
tind:ion  between  true  and  falfe  religion,  in  judg- 
ing of  his  own  fincerity,  from  the  firft  of  his 
religious  impreffions — and  from  his  very  exten-^ 
five  acquaintance  with  perfons  under  all  kinds 
of  religious  operations,  during  the  remarkable 
out-pourings  of  God's  Spirit,  referred  to  above* 
This  book  was  printed  about  the  year  ^750^ 
E  fin 


3^' 


APPENDIX, 


was  well  received,  and  has  lately  b€ei>  re-print- 
cd  in  Scotland. 

*  From  this  period,  his  abilities,  as  a  divine, 
became  more  confpicuous. :  And  young  gentle- 
men, who  were  preparing  for  the  gofpel  mini- 
llry,  applied  to  him  as  a  teacher.  He  continu- 
ed to  be  eminently  ufeful,  in  this  branch  of  his 
work,  till  the  decline  of  life  induced  him  to  re- 
linquifli  it. 

As  his  method  of  inftruftion  has  met  the  ap- 
probation of  thofe  to  whom  it  was  known,  and 
may  probably  be  beneficial  to  others,  the  follow- 
ing fummary  is  inferted* 

After  fcme  conference,  on  religious  fubjefts, 
with  thofe  who  applied  to  him  for  inftrudion, 
by  which  he  might  learn  their  abilities,  and  caft 
of  mind — ^he  commonly  gave  them  a  number 
of  queftions,  on  the  leading  and  moft  eflential 
fubjed:s  of  religion,  both  natural  and  revealed, 
in  the  form  of  a  fyftem.  This  fyftem  of  quef- 
tions, began  with  that  which  is  the  foundation 
of  all  true  religion — the  exiftence,  unity^  natural 
and  moral  attributes  of  God  ;  and  proceeded  to 
the  grounds,  nature,  extent  and  perfection  of 
his  providential  and  moral  government  of  the 
world — the  qualities  effentially  requifite  to  con- 
flitute  a  moral  agent,  or  accountable  creature — 

the 


APPENDIX. 


3S 


the  evidences  that  man  is  fuch  a  being — the  tno- 
xal  law,  or  law  of  nature,  with  refpe<St  to  man — 
the  reafons  of  the  law,  or  of  man's  duty — -the 
primary  ftate  of  man — the  prefent  chara<^er  and 
ilateof  man — evidences  from  reafon,  of  a  future 
ftate    of    rewards    and   puniihments — evidences 

froni  reafon  of  the  perpetuity  of  that  ftate . 

whether,  antecedent  to  fupernatural  revelation, 
there  be  any  hope  of  pardon  and  divine  favor  to 
finful  man— the  need  of  a  fupernatural  revela- 
tiOn^-*-grounds  to  hope  for  it— evidences  that  the 
Old  and  New  Teftaments  contain  fuch  a  revel- 
ation— the  divine  Trinity  in  unity— original  fm — 
divine  decree— divinity  of  Chrift— his  humani- 
ty— mediatorial  office  and  work — nature  and  de- 
fign  of  his  atonement— nature,  neceffity,  author 
and  efFefts  of  regeneration— juftifying  faith— 
juftification  by  faith,  as  diftinguiflied  from  good 
works — the  diftinguifhing  nature  and  fruits  of  true 
repentance,  love  and  other  chriftian  graces, --or 
the  fcriptural  marks  of  a  faving  change — perfe* 
verance  of  faints-— feparate  ftate — refurred:ion-*- 

future  judgment perpetual  happinefs  of  the 

righteous,  and  mifery  of  the  wicked— -chriftian 
church — particular  churches — officers,  what,  and 
how  qualified-^—facraments-^nature  iuid  ufe  of 
church  difcipline^ 

With  a  fyftem  of  queftions,  fimikr  to  this, 

before  his  pupilg,  he  dire<ited  their  reading  to 

i  fuch 


36  APPENDIX. 

fuch  books  on  thofe  leading  topics,  as  treat  them 
with  the  grcateft  pcrfpicuity  and  force  of  argu^ 
ment ;  and  ufually  fpent  his  evenings  in  examin- 
ing into  their  improvements,  folving  difficul- 
ties which  they  found,  or  propofing  and  folv- 
ing others,  till  they  had  obtained  a  good  degree 
of  underftanding  in  a  general  fyftem.  After 
which,  he  directed  them  to  write  on  each  of  the 
queftions  before  given  them,  reviewing  thofe 
parts  of  the  authors  which  treated  on  that  fub- 
jed:.  Thefe  diflertations  of  his  pupils  were  fub- 
mitted  to  his  examination.  He  pointed  out 
where  their  arguments  were  infufficient,  and 
fubftituted  others  more  fuitable  in  their  place — 
flated  fuch  objeftions  as  are  to  be  found  in  the 
writings  of  the  moft  able  and  learned  oppofers  of 
the  truth, — and  when  his  pupils  were  unable 
to  anfwer  them,  he  pointed  out  the  mode  of  fo- 
lution.  As  they  advanced  in  ability  to  make 
proper  diftindtions,  he  led  them  to  read  the  moft 
learned  and  accute  oppofers  of  the  truth,  on  the 
deiftical,  trinitarian  and  other  leading  fubjefts  of 
controverfy  3  and  laid  open  to  them  the  fallacy 
of  the  moft  fpecious  reafonings  in  thofe  writers. 

When  his  pupils,  by  reading,  converfation 
and  writing,  in  the  form  of  diflertations,  had 
gone  through  with  a  fyftem  of  theological  quef- 
tions, he  led  them  to  write  on  feveral  of  the 
moft  important  points,  fyftematically,  in  the  form 

of 


APPENDIX, 


37 


of  fermons.  Next  to  this,  he  led  them  to  pe- 
rufe  the  beft  experimental  and  praffical  difcourf-- 
es,  and  to  compofeiermoqs  on  like  fubjedts. 
This  courfe  he  purfued  with  them,  revifmg 
and  corredting  their  compofitions  and  inculcat- 
ing the  great  importance  of  acquiring  the  beft 
piethod  of  preaching  the  gpfpe],  and  of  per- 
forming all  branches  of  the  minifterial  work. 
And  alfo  the  neceflity,  for  this  end,  of  a  heart 
truly  devoted  to  the  fervice  of  Chrift,  and  a 
life  of  watching  and  prayer — difcourling  occa- 
lionally  on  the  various  duties,  trials,  comforts 
and  motives  of  the  evangelical  work  ^— -that 
his  pupils  might  be,  as  far  as  poffible,  ^'fcribes 
well  inftrud:ed  to  the  kingdom  of  God."  We 
add  nothing  further  on  this  head.  The  above 
hints  will  give  the  reader  a  general  viev/  of 
what  was  defigned.  But  thofe  only,  who  have 
enjoyed  his  inftrudtions^  can  have  juft  apprehen-. 
iions  of  his  peculiar  talents,  as  a  theologicrj 
teacher— or  of  the  diligence  and  ardor  y/jth 
which  he  employed  them. 

His  dodlrinal  fentiments,  on  many  of  the  moil 
important  principles,  may  be  learned  from  his 
printed  works.  His  principal  publications  arc 
the  following, 

I .  Early  piety  recomm> ended.    A  iermon  from 
Ecclefiaftes  xii.  i, 

2.  Trui 


38  APPENDIX. 

2.  True  Religion  delineated. 

(Already  mentioned.) 

3.  Sermons  on  the  Divinity  of  Chrift. — The 
Milenium,  and  The  Wifdom  of  God,  in 
the  permiffion  of  Sin. 

4.  Dialogues,  on  Theron  and  Afpafio,  By 
Paulinus. 

5.  Eflay  on  the  Gofpel. 

6.  The  great  Evil  of  Sin.     A  fermon, 

7.  The  Law,  a  Schoolmafter.     A  fermon. 

Belides  thefe,  he  publifhed  feveral  fmall  pieces 
on  creeds  and  confeffions — on  the   Covenant  of 
Grace — and   on  church  Covenanting.      Alfo, 
fome  fmall  pieces,  in  anfwer  to  objedions  pub- 
liihed  againil  fome  of  his  other  works. 

He  was  a  Proteftant,  and  a  Calvinift.  He 
taught  the  truths  contained  in  the  Weftminfter 
Confeffion  of  Faith  and  Catechifms,  and  other 
approved  creeds  and  confeffions.  But  called  no 
man  father ;  and  endeavoured  to  build  all  his  o- 
pinions  on  the  word  of  God. 

As  a  paftor,  he  was  diligent  in  the  difcharge 
of  his  duty,  taking  heed  to  all  the  flock  over 
which  the  Holy  Ghofl  had  made  him  an  over- 

fcer. 


A  P  P  E  N  D  I  X/  39 

feer*  He  taught  his  people  publlckly  and  from 
houfe  to  houfe*  He  was  efpecially  attentive  to 
the  riling  generation,  and  fpent  much   time  in 

\  teaching  and  warning  the  children  and  youth, 
Eefides  his  ftated  labours  on  the  Lord's-day,  he 

i  frequently  fpent  an  hour,  in  the  intervals  of  pub- 
lic worfliip,  in  catechiiing  the  children  of  the 
congregation.  He  was  a  fkilful  guide  to  en- 
quiring fouls, — and  was  ever  ready  to  inftrudi 
his  people  and  Qthers,  who  applied  to  him  in 
private,  in  the  great  concern  of  man, — and  in 
all  cafes  of  confcience.  He  had  an  excellent 
talent  at  compofing  differences,  and  preventing 
or  healing  breaches  in  churches,  and  was  much 
employed  in  fuch  cafes.  And  his  name  will  long 
be  had  in  honorable  remembrance  by  our  mini- 
fters  and  churches  ;  efpecially  in  the  '  confoeia- 
tion  of  Litchfield  county,  to  which  he  belonged. 

His  heart  was  eminently  formed  for  chriftian 
friendfhip  :  Among  his  intimates  and  tried  friends 
he  was  open  and  free — ever  careful  to  fpcnd  the 
interviews  of  friendfhip  on  fubjedts  ufeful  and 
important.  His  company  was  much  fought- — 
it  was  enjoyed  with  pleafure — and  his  friends 
rarely  parted  from  him  without  fenfible  improve- 
ment, unlefs  they  were  wanting  to  themfelves. 

He  poflelTed  a  fufHcient  degree  of  natural  for- 
titude—was a  firm  and  decided  defender  of  what 

he 


40  APPENDIX/ 

he  believed  to  be  divine  truth  ;  but  v^^as  a  friend 
to  the  perfons  of  thofe,  v^hofe  errors  he  oppofed. 

His  writings  procured  him  the  eflecm  of  the 
pious  and  learned  at  home  and  abroad.  They 
have  been  read  and  feveral  of  them  re-printed  in 
Great-Britain.  As  a  mark  of  this  efleem^  he,  in 
the  year  1768,  received  his  Dodlorate  in  Divini- 
ty,, from  the  Univerfity  of  Aberdeen. 

During  the  aclive  part  of  life,  he  maintained 
an  extenfive,  epiftolary  correfpondence,  by  which 
he  was  beneficial  to  many,  and  obtained  much 
ufeful  knowledge  to  himfelf.  By  means  of  his 
corrofpondence  in  Britain,  and  efpecially  by  his 
worthv  and  conftant  friend*  the  Reverend  Dr. 
John  Erikine  of  Edinburgh,  he  annually  re- 
ceived regular  accounts  of  whatever  materially 
affedled  the  flate  of  religion  and  the  intereft  of 
the  churches  in  England,  Scotland,  and  other 
parts  of  Europe.  It  has  already  been  mentioned 
that,  in  the  early  part  of  his  miniftry,  he  con- 
traded  an  acquaintance  with  the  late  Prefident 
Edwards — this  produced  an  intimate  friendihip, 
which  continued  till  the  Prefident's  much  la- 
mented death — and  which  muft  be  abundantly 
improved  ngw  they  are  happily  reunited  :  To 
this  early  acquaintance  and  friendfhip  with  that 
eoiinent   Divine,   muft   be  attributed,   in  part, 

the 


APPENDIX.  41 

the  Do<5or*s  improvement  in  theological  learn- 
ing, and  his  ufefulnefs  in  the  churches. 

The  reader  may  perhaps  wifh  to  fee  the  Doftor 
in  a  more  private  walk. — The  leading  indicati- 
ons of  his  countenance  were  dignity  and  firm- 
nefs.  He  was  tall,  and,  in  his  youth,  flender 
and  of  a  thin  habit — in  middle  life,  well  pro- 
portioned— in  old  age,  his  afped:  and  mien  were 
commanding  and  venerable.  About  the  year 
1744,  he  married  Mifs  Frances  Sherman  of  New^ 
Haven,  a  Lady  pofTefled  of  many  amiable  accom- 
plifhments,  and  eminent  piety.  By  her  he  hacj 
feven  children,  five  of  which  furvive  their  pa* 
rents  : — .Two  are  no  more  on  earth.  * 

From  nature,  education  and  piety,  Mrs.  B.eU 
lamy  was  qualified  to  fill  her  jftation  with  un- 
common  ufefulnefs.     Among  otlier   important 

F  branches 


♦  Of  the  two  children  who  died  before  their  father  :— The  firft  wis 
Ijis  fccond  (on  yoratban  :  Who  linifhed  his  academical  educa::ion  and  gra- 
duated in  Yalc-Collegc,  in  1772.  And,  having  purfucd  the  ftudy  of  the  law 
under  an  able  teacher,  and  palTed  the  accuftomed  eyammation,  was  admitted 
to  the  bar,  as  a  pradlifing  attorney.  Soon  after  which  the  conomencement  of 
hoftilities  between  Great-Britain  and  America,  induced  him  to  take  an  aftive 
part.  And  at  the  ciofe  of  the  campaign  of  1776,  juil  as  he  was  ret\«rning  t<? 
the  ardent  wifhes  and  prayers  of  his  parents  and  friends,  he  was  IciEed  with  the 
/qjall-pox  — -and  died  at  Oxford,  Eflcx  County,  in  the  State  of  New-Jerf?}-, 
on  the  4th  of  January,  X777-"in  the  a4th  year  ot  his  age. 

The  other  child,  who  did  not  furvive  her  fatrher-  was  Reiecra,  his  fccpni 
daughter,  (he  was  married  in  her  vouth  to  the  RevPTftia  Mr.  K.'.rt  ot  Preftoj;, 
si^d  died  HI  her  42d  year,  December  24th,  178?.  Skeuhes  of  i\\c  Iff  and  cha- 
fa£ler  of  this  amiable  and  pious  Lady  ma;  be  C'.cr.  al  liic  fr*J  c-f  de  fesxio» 
^);LIifhcd  9jsi  QQC^lidn  tf  ht^r  deatiu 


42  APPENDIX. 

branches  of  her  charaftcr,  it  is  worthy  of  remark, 
that,  during  the  courfc  of  many  years,  and  till 
the  decline  of  health  prevented,  fhe  fuftained  al- 
moft  the  whole  weight  of  family  care,  with  a 
chearful  readinefs — that  her  hufband  might  be 
interrupted  as  little  as  poffible  in  his  ftudies,  and 
other  duties  of  his  office.  In  her  domeftick  re- 
lations, fhe  was  a  great  bleffing — fhe  was  the  joy 
of  her  hufband  and  children.  She  merited  and 
poflelTed  the  afFedlions  of  the  congregation  and 
the  numerous  vifitors  who  entered  her  hofpita- 
ble  door.  Faithful  to  her  family — to  her  friends 
' — to  the  poor-— to  the  church  of  God,  and,  a- 
bove  all,  faithful  to  her  God. — She  finifhed  the 
labours  of  mortality  on  the  30th  of  Augufl  1785^ 
in  the  year  of  her  age  62,  t 

DocSor  Bellamy  was  one  of  thofe  who  did 
what  their  '*  hand  iindeth  to  do  with  their 
might."  In  his  ftudy  and  pulpit  his  exertions 
were  ardent  and  perfevering.  It  v/as,  therefore, 
to  be  expelled  that  he  fhould  fpend  fall — and 
that,  in  declining  life,  the  decays  of  age  fhould 
be  rapid  :  This  was  obferved  to  be  the  czit^ 
by  his  friends,  with  a  painful  fenfibility,  in  fome 
of  his  lafl  years  of  ad:ive  fervice — ^and  was  accel- 
erated by  the  lofs  of  the  wife  of  his  youth,  and 
joy  of  his  heart. 

I-Jcwever,  the  year  following  her  death,  he 

contrafted 


APPENDIX. 


43 


con  traded  a  fecond  marriage,  with  Mrs.  Storrs, 
Relidl  of  the  late  Reverend  Andrew  Storrs,  of 
Watertown,  in  Connefticut.  But  the  prolpedt 
of  a  ferenc  old  age  was  blafted,  foon  after  their 
marriage,  by  his  being  feized  with  a  paralitic 
fhock.  This  happened  on  the  19th  of  Novem- 
ber 1786.  It  wholly  deprived  him  of  the  ufe 
of  his  limbs  on  the  left  fide — and  greatly  im- 
paired his  intelledlual  powers.  Able  phyficians 
were  confulted,  and  their  means  applied,  but 
without  fuccefs.  He  continued  more  than  three 
years  in  this  ftate  of  deep  calamity,  with  little 
variation  of  his  difordcr  ;  excepting  that  he  had 
fome  lucid  intervals — in  which  he  appeared  to 
be  himfelf,  for  a  fhort  Ipace.  In  thefe  feafons, 
he  difcour^d,  to  thofe  about  him,  on  the  great 
things  of  the  gofpel,  the  difpenfations  of  infinite 
wifdom  in  regard  to  the  church  and  himfelf — 
and  his  joyful  hope  of  approaching  glory  -,  to  the 
great  fatisfad:ion  of  his  chriftian  friends,  and  as 
might  be  expedled,  from  his  former  life  and  mi- 
niftry.  But  thefe  intervals  of  reafon  became 
ihorter  and  lefs  frequent,  in  the  later  ftages  of  his 
complaint.  About  three  weeks  before  his  death, 
he  appeared  to  be  afflided  with  a  cold  and  op- 
preffion  of  the  lungs,  which  produced  an  ulcera- 
tion : — And,  after  a  painful  ftruggle,  he  received 
his  difmiflion  from  fin  and  forrov^^,  at  8  o'clock, 
in  the  evening  of  Saturday,  March  6th,  1790,  in 
theyzd  year  of  his  age,  and  50th  of  his  miniftry. 

And, 


44  APPENDIX. 

And,  we  doubt  not,  received  a  welcome  to  that 
blelTed  fociety,  where  the  imperfcftions  and  for- 
rows  of  mortality  fhall  never  come, 

His  funeral  was  attended  the  Tuefday  follow^ 
ing,  by  the  Clergy  of  the  vicinity,  his  own  Con- 
gregation, and  a  numerous  concourfe  of  refpedta- 
ble  and  worthy  Friends,  from  the  neighbouring 
towns  :  who  did  him  honor  at  his  death,  and 
mingled  their  forrows  with  thofe  of  his  family 
and  particular  connexions — in  a  manner  v/hich 
cxpreiTed  the  common  fentiment  that,  a  great 
man  was  fallen  in  our  Ifrael.  And,  after  the 
preceding  difcourfe,  and  the  connected  folemni- 
ties,  in  the  houfe  of  God,  his  remains  were  de-? 
pofited  in  the  houfe  of  filence,  with  every  mark 
of  refpedl  and  folemnity. 

The  removal  of  fuch  eminent  lights  from  our 
world,  draws  a  dark  vail  over  the  church  on 
earth  ! — Who  fhall  be  found  to  fill  the  vacant 
candleftick — and  guide  the  bereaved  flock  in  the 
path  of  life  ?  Who  fhall  inflrudt  our  young  men, 
who  are  defigned  for  the  facred  miniftry  ? — an4 
be  inflrumental  in  forming  them  for  ufefulnefs 
in  our  churches  ?  Who  fhall  prefide  in  our  ec- 
cleliaftical  councils,  and  preferve  the  peace  and 
order  of  the  churches  ?  Who — but  no  man. 
Let  every  anxious  thought  be  filent : — The  chief 
Shepherd  and  Bifh9p  lives,  and  fliall  for  ever  live. 

He 


APPENDIX.  45 

He  walks  in  the  midfl:  of  the  kvtn  golden  can- 
dlefticks.  All  the  churches  are  his  care.  He 
holds  the  ftars  in  his  right  hand*  The  refidue 
of  the  fpirit  is  with  him.  And  he  hath  graci- 
•ufly  affured  us,  that  the  walls  of  Jerufalem  are 
ever  before  him — and  that  the  gates  of  hell  (hall 
never  prevail. — May  the  falling  mantle,  of  ouf 
afcended  Prophet,  reft  on  fome  favored  Elifha— 
and  the  Lord  of  the  harveft  fend  forth  labourers, 
who  fhall  be  ftill  more  eminent  and  more  ufeful 
than  thofe  who  are  removed.  May  their  fuccefs 
be  ftill  greater.  And  may  our  churches  be  bleft 
with  a  fucccflion  of  well  qualified  paftors — and 
flourifh,  in  all  the  branches  of  chriftian  piety  and 
▼irtue,  till  the  fecond  coming  of  gur  Lord  Jefvts 
Chrift. 


^-w 


v,.<*- 


-r»0» 


^'^p-^ 


«? 


